PLASKETT STATEMENT ON FEMA REVIEW OF VIRGIN ISLANDS RECOVERY SPENDING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2026
PLASKETT STATEMENT ON FEMA REVIEW OF VIRGIN ISLANDS RECOVERY SPENDING
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett issued the following statement after senior members of the Government of the Virgin Islands met with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in Washington, D.C last week. The meeting followed FEMA's August 24, 2026, letter placing the territory's disaster recovery portfolio under enhanced compliance review.
“I have been asked by multiple individuals for my opinion and knowledge regarding a meeting this month between Governor Bryan, territorial recovery officials, and federal partners, specifically FEMA and OMB, regarding the territory’s disaster recovery funding and usage. The August 24th letter is a serious matter. I have received updates from multiple sources, including the Governor and members of his team, along with federal partners. While I appreciate the work Government of the Virgin Islands officials have done to advance the recovery and to identify areas where the federal government can provide additional support, I do not believe solely identifying gaps in federal support alone will put us on track.
“I believe the federal government has raised valid concerns about the pace of recovery. Federal recovery dollars must be spent efficiently, and the people of the Virgin Islands and American taxpayers deserve to see results. Nine years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, too many of our schools, hospitals, roads, and utilities remain unfinished, and Virgin Islanders are still waiting to see the full results of this historic federal investment. We have no choice but to clear the obstacles slowing this work. While it is important to share with the federal government where its systems could serve us better, we also cannot ignore that our local government must move faster to expend these funds, and spend them on projects built for efficiency and durability. This federal investment is a once-in-a-century opportunity to rebuild our territory.
“The Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) has done the difficult work of securing federal obligations. The focus now must be on execution: moving money out the door, getting projects under construction, and delivering completed schools, hospitals, and infrastructure to the people of the Virgin Islands. ODR must shift functionality to operations and construction management. We are spending tremendous dollars on a Super Project Management firm (Super PMO). We must have the confidence that the firm will execute and deliver on what our tax dollars have paid for. That demands that the firm assigns its best people to our projects. Local government decision-making, permitting and processing vendor payments must be streamlined without forfeiting accuracy or compliance with federal mandates. Additionally, outside consultants must recognize that we are not a project for their own case studies or awards. Our children, our elders, and our people need this infrastructure now.
“Virgin Islanders have waited long enough. I am committed to working with the federal government, the Governor, and ODR to accelerate the recovery while maintaining strong accountability for every federal dollar. I will continue to be available and ready to engage with FEMA, OMB, and all of our local and federal partners to see this through to completion.”
